AAT Level 2 Distance Learning - Training Provider : BPP x Kaplan

mapleleaf1010

cool-dog wrote: »

I am studying AAT with BPP through my work.

I find BPP great, I have not seen Kaplan materials as BPP are my works approved supplier.

With BPP you can either have distance learning with just the books, personally I found this difficult and am now on the Distance Online Learning, where I get the books and online lecture videos, with back up of a lecturer via email if needed.

You will need to register with AAT before you sit an exam, on their student learning section of their website they have mock exams, these mock exams are very close to what the actual exam is like (different questions, but very similar if you know what I mean, and same layout etc) I find these a great help.

AAT is a respected qualification and worth gaining if you are willing to put the effort in.

Many thanks for your advice.

Those BPP mock exams must be really helpful, if they're that similar to the exams.

What do you think about their lecturers? Can you speak to them over the phone or in person as well?

What are the online videos like?

Is there an online forum where you can interact with fellow students and lecturers?

lazysheep

Don't forget to also check out local colleges, you don't have to study with just BPP or Kaplan. I studied AAT levels 2 and 3 at evening classes and did level 4 via another college distance online, only having to go in to sit the exams. They're still not cheap but you do get the interaction and tutors if you need them to answer questions via email (well mine offered that anyway).

I was able to study at my own pace on the level 4 and just book exams when I was ready, rather than having to stick to a prescribed timetable with a course. At the time I was working in a basic admin/finance job (raising the odd purchase order and paying the odd bit of petty cash out) so it's certainly not necessary to have sponsorship and can certainly be doing whilst working full time.

mapleleaf1010

lazysheep wrote: »

Don't forget to also check out local colleges, you don't have to study with just BPP or Kaplan. I studied AAT levels 2 and 3 at evening classes and did level 4 via another college distance online, only having to go in to sit the exams. They're still not cheap but you do get the interaction and tutors if you need them to answer questions via email (well mine offered that anyway).

I was able to study at my own pace on the level 4 and just book exams when I was ready, rather than having to stick to a prescribed timetable with a course. At the time I was working in a basic admin/finance job (raising the odd purchase order and paying the odd bit of petty cash out) so it's certainly not necessary to have sponsorship and can certainly be doing whilst working full time.

I prefer distance learning because I can fit my studies around my life.

How did you get your job after finishing level 4? Did you find the course worthwhile?

Thanks.

Carl31

I did my ACCA qual using BPP study materials, not there distance learning course, just the books, found them the best ones

Theres a website called opentuition.com, its run by a couple of tutors. Its mainly ACCA but they do AAT too, loads of videos and lecture recordings and texts and materials for free, definitely worth a look

mapleleaf1010

Carl31 wrote: »

I did my ACCA qual using BPP study materials, not there distance learning course, just the books, found them the best ones

Theres a website called opentuition.com, its run by a couple of tutors. Its mainly ACCA but they do AAT too, loads of videos and lecture recordings and texts and materials for free, definitely worth a look

I thought about just buying the training materials to save money. But I realised that I wouldn't have anyone to help me with my queries.

I'll definitely check opentuition.com.

Thanks.

Carl31

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

I thought about just buying the training materials to save money. But I realised that I wouldn't have anyone to help me with my queries.

I'll definitely check opentuition.com.

Thanks.

theres loads of videos on youtube that explain things if you get stuck, then theres OT forums, you can usually post on there and get some help, i quite often go on there just to help people out

mapleleaf1010

Carl31 wrote: »

theres loads of videos on youtube that explain things if you get stuck, then theres OT forums, you can usually post on there and get some help, i quite often go on there just to help people out

Had a quick look at opentuition.com and there's seem to be a vast amount of useful tutorials and notes.

Even though I want to study for an AAT course, I also found the ACCA material very interesting.

The tutorials are great way to learn more about the AAT syllabus in small chunks. Lunch time reading for me!

Will definitely try youtube too.

killerpeaty

mapleleaf1010 wrote: »

Glad your AAT distance learning and career change have worked out well. :T

Yes, I suffer from 'analysis paralysis', particularly because my salary is not brilliant and the fees are a lot of money for me. But I'm hoping to make a decision within the next few weeks.

What do you do in your job working in a practice? Is it a large or small firm? What is your job title? How did you find out about it?

Which 3 ACCA exemptions are you going to get? I take your employer is sponsoring you?

It would be nice if I could get sponsored in the future. But if I decide to pay for the training myself, I'm very aware of the time, effort and stress involved. I did a course with the Open University some years ago and I know I'm disciplined enough to manage a distance learning course while working full time.

Many thanks and I hope you don't mind me asking you so many questions!

Currently I set up files, put together the financial accounts and use that to calculate corporation tax. So, basically, the simple stuff. I will be moving into more areas in the next six months (I'm about six months in). I have assisted in three audits but that's about it so far. It is frustratingly slow progress, but I like the work. It's basically putting together puzzles.

In terms of practice papers in one of your other posts, I found that the kaplan practice papers were better than bpp, bpp appeared just to be the ones on the AAT site.

Exemptions can be found here

The most useful module I took was excel, it really helped in my last job and it's helped in this one.

Additionally AAT gives you perks like a free microsoft office training (excel with business), access to a student card, access to aat additions (discounts on stuff) and career advice. I made my CV with them.

mapleleaf1010

killerpeaty wrote: »

Currently I set up files, put together the financial accounts and use that to calculate corporation tax. So, basically, the simple stuff. I will be moving into more areas in the next six months (I'm about six months in). I have assisted in three audits but that's about it so far. It is frustratingly slow progress, but I like the work. It's basically putting together puzzles.

In terms of practice papers in one of your other posts, I found that the kaplan practice papers were better than bpp, bpp appeared just to be the ones on the AAT site.

Exemptions can be found here

The most useful module I took was excel, it really helped in my last job and it's helped in this one.

Additionally AAT gives you perks like a free microsoft office training (excel with business), access to a student card, access to aat additions (discounts on stuff) and career advice. I made my CV with them.

Many thanks for answering my questions.

It's good to know I can have exemptions if I decide to study for ACCA in the future. That link you posted here quite useful.

Good luck in your career!